Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini lineup for 2023-24 after the Spain trip

No. 5 Center/Forward

Starter: Dain Dainja

Lastly, we get to the big men. The development over the last season or so for Dain Dainja has been impressive. He couldn’t see the floor for Baylor, but Illinois has molded him into a pretty solid center. I have Dainja coming into the season as the starter at the No. 5 spot.

There aren’t a ton of flaws to Dainja’s game. He has great touch around the hoop and can rebound well. In the last game against the Catalonia All-Stars, Dainja finished with nine points and 11 rebounds. There are some issues that I have, but I don’t think they are going to be corrected anytime soon. Dainja can turn the ball over at a high rate, and he is bad at free throw shooting. Both of these things can cost Illinois wins. For now, I have Dainja starting at the No. 5 spot.

Backup: Amani Hansberry

While I have Dainja starting at center entering the 2023-24 season, there is a contender for the starting job right behind him. I think Amani Hansberry is going to be a sensational freshman for the Illini. He was the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year, and those skills are going to translate quickly to the college game.

For now, I have Hansberry as the primary backup at the No. 5 spot. He can give Illinois the traditional big man numbers, even though Hansberry only checks in at 6-foot-8. I love his rebounding ability, and what makes me even happier is the fact Hansberry is polished on the offensive end of the court. Against Catalonia, Hansberry would finish with 19 points and 11 rebounds in just 18 minutes of action. I think there is a legit chance Hansberry pushes Dainja for the starting No. 5 spot this season.